Xining's Climate
Xining, capital of Qinghai province in northwest China, sits on the northeastern rim of the Tibetan Plateau at an altitude of about 2,200 m. That elevation gives it a cold semi-arid climate, with mild, pleasant summers and very cold, dry winters. Summer (June–August) is gentle, with daytime highs around 22–26°C, and it is also the main wet season as monsoonal air brings showers and thunderstorms; winter (December–February) is harsh, with daytime highs often below 5°C and nights plunging to around −15°C, with little snow. Spring and autumn are short and dry, marked by large swings between day and night temperatures.